First US Peace Corps Volunteers to Samoa after COVID-19 sworn in

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 02 MAY 2023: Seven Peace Corps volunteers were sworn last Friday to serve for two years in Samoa in the education sector.

The swearing in ceremony was officiated by the Minister for Education, Sports and Culture Seuula Ioane and the United States Charge d’ Affaires to Samoa, Ms. Noriko Horiuchi.

The Minister acknowledged the US response to the Samoa’s Education sector request for assistance and the volunteers will assist with English literacy in the Primary school level.

The seven volunteers arrived in February and stayed at different families at Mulifanua village where they went through an orientation of Samoan culture, intercultural diversity, equity, inclusion and language training.

“We are proud and pleased to announce our new Volunteers’ readiness for service following the successful completion of Peace Corps’ rigorous 11-week training program, which included more than 100 hours of Samoan language instruction,” said Peace Corps Samoa Country Director Gini Wilderson.

The volunteers performing a Samian cultural item.

“They are now fully prepared to assist Samoa’s primary school students with gaining important English reading and writing abilities while becoming contributing members of the communities where they will serve. We would also like to thank the community of Mulifanua for hosting our Trainees during their training program,” said Gini Wilderson.

The new volunteers is the 92^nd group of Peace Corps to serve in Samoa since the establishment of the program in 1961 by the late President John. F. Kennedy.

In October 1967, the Samoan Government invited Peace Corps volunteers to serve in Samoa and more than 2000 volunteers have since served in various fields in Samoa.

Some of them found love, have families and made Samoa their home.

The 93^rd group of Peace Corps is expected in July 2023.

A group photo after the swearing in ceremony.